Welcome

This blog is simply one family's lenten journey seen through the eyes of the Mama.
To understand our family better, please see the side bar for family names and ages.
Hope this is an encouragement for you on your walk with the Lord.



Tuesday, May 25, 2010

May 25, 2010

Verse of the Day
"Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God's grace."
Act 20:24

Song of the Day
Amazing Love by Newsboys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTCLw1L_YFc

My Thoughts
I have noticed that I go through periods of feeling pretty overwhelmed with the amounts of "important projects" that I have running through my head. Then I waver back to the "I am almost caught up" end of the spectrum, although I never quite arrive there. I am definitely on the overwhelmed side of things, hence the reason for my lack of blogs. But I did realize something that I have noticed in the past, but was reaffirmed in today. No matter how hectic the day is, or how many things I say "no" to during the day. All seems well in my soul if I just take a few moments at the end of the day to play a game with the kids. So often I don't and then deal with guilt. I love spending time with my kids, and yet I live in fear of missing the many opportunities I have to really enjoy the kids.

As I contemplate the many different activities I can sign the kids up for this summer, yet another one of the "important projects" that I am putting off, I start thinking what would really be better for the kids: signing them up and hauling them to t-ball two nights a week, or scheduling "family t-ball" in the backyard. I am not saying the kids shouldn't have activities, but the reality is that the time spent running to activities is directly proportional to the lack of time spent at home as a family. Good nor bad, I am really praying about how much to sign the kids up for. I want to find the talents that God gave them and encourage those talents, while not forgoing these awesome years when all my kids still want to hang with me.

Monday, May 17, 2010

May 17, 2010

Verse of the Day
"In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world."
John 16:33

Song of the Day
"Give me your Eyes" by Brandon Heath
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWIpQuGwSyQ

My Thoughts
I spend way too much time trying "to fit" into whatever situation I am in. And, I typically feel as if I don't "fit". Yet, such a kind soul, helped me to view the world in a completely different way. She said to open my eyes wide and take off the parameters that I have set for myself. She explained that there are so many good people out there with so much love to give, but we tend to continue looking within the same groups. Instead she said to be open to friendships from people in all different circles of life, of all different ages and backgrounds.

I also wonder if the Lord allows each of us to wander in a period of desert in order that we might come out of the dessert with different eyes, eyes open to seeing the broken-hearted (hence the song choice), eyes fixed on bringing God's love to others instead of worrying about our self and how we will fit into a situation. Instead, we seek to see how we could be of love and service to others.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

May 12, 2010

Verse of the Day
"To you I raise my eyes, to you enthroned in heaven."
Psalm 123:1

Song of the Day
"I Will Lift my Eyes" by Bebo Norman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhSqJQ9jngs

My Thoughts
My children, as most, usually have a single track going in their mind. Today their track was Jesus' second coming. Lots of questions, hoping I answered them right. But they continually made their desires known that they hope the second coming is soon. "We can all be together in Heaven with all our friends and Grandpa and Grandma". I just kept reminding them that we have a mission to fulfill here on earth and we need to be ready for the second coming while we work on our mission. And they respond with "But I really want to see Jesus."

And on a side note, I can only hope that my children are blessed with such wonderful friends as I have been blessed with. You gals know who you are. In fact, I am saying a novena to St. Therese currently that each of my children would have just a couple really great friends (rather than a whole host of surface friends) who would help them on their journey to Heaven. I am also praying to be relieved from the unnecessary worry and fear that clutters my brain constantly. I would appreciate any prayers as well. Know that I pray for you my blog readers as well.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

May 11, 2010

Verse of the Day
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

Song of the Day
"Where I am Going" by Glen Campbell
http://new.music.yahoo.com/glen-campbell/tracks/where-i-am-going--54656899

My Thoughts
My thoughts are kind of running away in my head today, so that is why I need to have a gratitude pow-wow.

I am grateful that . . .
- I got to read a whole huge stack of books with Race Car and Curly.
- Joke-A-Lot and Artsy got to enjoy their sewing and art classes.
- we finished all our school.
- Mr. Fix-It found a nicer bus route home from work.
- I got to play Uno and Go Fish with the three older kids.
- I "caught" Joke-A-Lot doing a Novena to St. Therese all on her own initiative.
- since it was a rainy day, we turned on Oliver Twist and made some popcorn.
- despite the fact that the world can be hard and cruel, my children will always have a loving home to come home to where they will be loved and accepted exactly as they are.
- I made a decent dinner tonight.
- I don't remember yelling at all today.
- Curly was "dry" all day.
- Mr. Fix-it has a nice job with insurance.
- I got to sing Wheels on the Bus with Curly before he went to bed. He had the cutest smile.
- I can get old Matlock episodes from the library for free.
- we are all healthy.
- we have a nice home, bed, clothes, food, etc.
- I have such a wonderful husband.
- we are surrounded by wonderful family both near and far.
- I can stay home and homeschool our children.
- I have a loving God who cares about every detail of my family's lives.

Monday, May 10, 2010

May 10, 2010

Verse of the Day
"But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living god, the pillar and foundation of truth."
1 Timothy 15

Song of the Day
"Heart of Worship" by Matt Redman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH-snsXw1as

My Thoughts
Are you having difficulty figuring out what God wants you to do in a certain situation? Fr. Jacques has some great thoughts. Of course, we need to take time if possible to consider all things and try peacefully to allow God to bring us a solution. "We need to pray for the light of the Holy Spirit and the grace to act in conformity with the will of God and, if necessary, to ask the advice of people who can enlighten us relative to this decision." (page 70, Searching for and Maintaining Peace). But then, when we just feel like we don't know what God's will is, what are we to do? He listed a beautiful prayer to pray in these situations. I thought I would share.

"Lord, I have thought about it and prayed to know Your will. I do not see it clearly, but I am not going to trouble myself any further. I am not going to spend hours racking my brain. I am deciding such and such a thing because, all things carefully considered, it seems to me the best thing to do. And I leave everything in Your hands. I know well that, even if I am mistaken, You will not be displeased with me, for I have acted with good intentions. And if I have made a mistake, I know that You are able to draw good from this error. It will be for me a source of humility and I will learn something from it!" Then we can remain at peace.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

May 8, 2010

Verse of the Day
"Perfectionism doesn't have much to do with sanctity."
Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Philippe

Song of the Day
"When God Ran" by Phillips, Craig, and Dean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY2f95eDV3A&feature=related

My Thoughts
Legos. Legos. Legos. This is what my mind is thinking about today. They are fascinating little pieces of plastic. All four kids can be completely engrossed in manipulating and formulating them into just the item them they want to make, whether it be a car, truck, church, store, person, house, etc. But all of this bliss can turn on a dime. There just never seems to be enough wheels, windows, doors, or people to go around.

But isn't that the way we are as humans. We can be ticking along just fine until we get blown out of shape because we don't have enough of something. Like right now, I didn't have enough battery left, so I had to leave my comfortable couch to go sit in the cold mudroom. When making a recipe, there is always one ingredient that there isn't enough of. Money, well, we all know there never seems to be enough of that. I never seem to have enough time and I know I am not the only one. And my grand prize winner of "never having enough of it" is
. . . PATIENCE. Some of these things are quick annoyances, but others are chronic concerns.

What do we teach our children when there just aren't enough doors, wheels, windows and people to go around? Make it work! So, I leave you with that thought. Whatever you don't seem to have enough of today, make it work! God is there to help you. Just ask and trust. I know "Easier said than done".

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

May 5, 2010

Verse of the Day
"No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear."
Ephesians 4:29

Song of the Day
"Flood" by Jars of Clay
http://s0.ilike.com/play#Jars+Of+Clay:Flood:59038:s2981835.8811065.14492875.0.2.130%2Cstd_635e71f357534e4e8a188cd3b6757f53

My Thoughts
My thoughts today are simple and precise. Words can be used to teach, reprimand, discipline, build up or tear down. Basically, they either help or hurt. Too often, I find myself hurting someone close to me through the use of thoughtless words. I love to talk which sometimes leads to rambling. I talk to my children about not talking just to talk, yet there I continue to talk. Well, I need to heed my own advice. I am really trying to take the super microscope and watch all that comes out of my mouth. I am married to someone completely opposite in nature. He hardly talks at all and loves silence. But when I complain to him that I have yet again stuck my foot in my mouth, he has said more than once "That is why I don't say much, then I don't stick my foot in my mouth." And yes, the two extremes can happily be married together. I just talk constantly, and he nods once in awhile. Just kidding. But there is a healthy middle ground I believe, one where we integrate with healthy conversation, but politely bow out of the conversations that lead down the "negative" road. God wants us to fill our minds with things that are holy, lovely, and pure. He knows what he is doing.

So, join me in really looking at what words leave our mouths in the next 24 hours. I think we might be surprised at what we hear!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

May 4, 2010

Verse of the Day
"and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

Song of the Day
Free by Steven Curtis Chapman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTD69JfhMgo

My Thoughts
Manners Matter. I have always told my kids that people notice and appreciate good manners, especially since they seem harder to find these days. Saturday was a great example of this. Artsy and I were at Target. They had a ton of samples, one in particular was tortilla with melted cheese. I asked her if she would like one. "Yes" was the instant reply and so I handed her one. Immediately, she said "Thank you" to the lady. I was just happy that I didn't have to do the "What do you say?" That gets tremendously old, tremendously fast. Then as we were walking away, this middle aged man that had been in front of us and on his way down the aisle eating his tortilla, came back and said "I can learn something from that little girl" and he turned to the lady handing out the tortillas and said "Thank you". He must not have said thank you the first time around and then heard Artsy say it. Very cool that this man took the time to say that, as it really reinforced to Artsy what I always say to her and the other children "Manners Matter".

Then as we checked out, the woman behind me and the manager that happened to be standing there seemed flabbergasted that I had so many groceries "Are those all for one week?" "Yes, these are all for one week." "Do you go through all of that?" "Yes, we go through all of that." Then I explained that I have 4 children and their ages, and I got the normal "WOW" response. Then I said "They are great kids. I love them so much." And that is when the cashier said music to these little ears of mine. "Yes I know her kids. They are so nice and so well behaved." I was really wishing I had my "cassette" tape recorder there, so I could play that at home when I am ready to rip my hair out of my head. The interesting thing is that I don't think things always go that smoothly for us as we plod through Target, but I can only imagine what they must see in other children.

So, for all of you moms who think you might go crazy reminding your children to use their manners yet another time, remember "Manners matter and people notice and appreciate them."

Saturday, May 1, 2010

May 1, 2010

Verse of the Day
"Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens." Ephesians 6:10-12

Song of the Day
"How Great Thou Art" by Elvis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf0vJiyeLIo&feature=related
OR
"How Great Thou Art" by Crystal Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T664Z3dkudo&feature=related

My Thoughts
My thoughts are this. The fact that my dad doesn't appear to be healed after going to the healing conference is irrelevant. That is why I chose this song. It doesn't change the fact that God is God. He is awesome and knows what he is doing. He is stronger than the evil one. He loves my dad. If it is His will he will heal him. And there will be a day when he can experience peace again. I just hope he doesn't have to wait until he gets to Heaven. He is tormented constantly throughout the day. Please keep praying for him. It was so noticeable at the conference that people who didn't even know him were coming over and praying for him.